but tonight, president obama's photo is already causing controversy. and here's abc's reena ninan now. >> reporter: putting to rest skeptics' questions about whether the president fired a gun. this white house photo released today shows him firing at clay pigeons at a gun range at camp david last august. the photo was made public as president obama prepares to campaign for new gun control measures. a trip to minneapolis monday. a state that's worked to improve background checks. the last time we saw the president with anything close to a gun, camp david 2011, a birthday party for his daughter sasha. >> when he goes to camp david, he goes to spend time with his family and friends. not to produce photographers. >> reporter: but, now, the white house is using the photographer to counter critics who challenged the president to prove that he had fired rifles, something that became the butt of gun jokes. >> does he shoot -- since when does the ability to fire a weapon become a badge of honor, a patriotic achievement? all you need is a finger. >> that's right